Look Who's About To Pass Microsoft In Market Cap

That's right: the company that gave Microsoft
its big break, only to be eclipsed as the PC revolution
replaced the mainframe.

Right now, IBM's market cap is at $207.88 billion, just shy of
Microsoft's at $209.95 billion. IBM's stock has been rising
pretty consistently over the last year. Microsoft's has been
flat, and has been creeping down since its last earnings call.

If IBM passes Microsoft, that would make Microsoft the
third-largest tech company after Apple, which passed it in market
cap last May, and IBM.

IBM was last ahead of Microsoft about 15 years ago.

Steve Ballmer was around for the IBM beating. This must make him
feel a little queasy inside. No wonder he's opening the wallet.

Update: Here are top tech companies' market cap
positions as of 2:45 pm ET today. IBM is within a couple billion.